A man arrested on suspicion of the murder of Kyran Durnin in the Republic of Ireland is believed to have died.

Gardaí (Irish police) and emergency services found the body of 36-year-old, named locally as Anthony Maguire, at his home in Drogheda shortly before midday on Tuesday.

Kyran, who was six when last seen alive, was reported missing from his home in Drogheda in County Louth in August.

In October, gardaí launched a murder investigation, saying they were treating Kyran as missing, presumed dead.

A man and a woman have both been arrested on suspicion of murder before later being released without charge.

Gardaí have confirmed on Tuesday they were “alerted following the discovery of a body of a male aged in his 30s”.

“The local coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged,” a gardaí spokesperson said.

“The outcome of the post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation.”

Although the missing person inquiry began in August, detectives believe Kyran may have been killed more than two years ago.

Kyran was a pupil at the national [primary] school near his home in Dundalk in 2022.

It is understood authorities were told he would be moving to Northern Ireland and attending a new school in Newry.

School officials in Dundalk, where Kyran lived with his mother, were reportedly told at the end of the 2022 summer term that he would be attending school over the border – but that claim was not confirmed.

Investigating gardaí carried out searches at two houses in Drogheda last week in order to find any information on Kyran’s whereabouts or what happened to him.

The search one of the houses was supported by a cadaver dog.

Gardaí said that the house and gardens would involve an intrusive search, as well as technical and forensic examinations.

The results of the searches have not been made public.